Inadequate
/ɪnˈædɪkwɪt/
Definitions
Lacking the quality or quantity required; insufficient.
/ɪnˈædɪkwɪt/
Not good enough; not sufficient to meet a need or requirement.
The amount of food provided was inadequate for the number of guests.
💡 Simply: Imagine you try to build a LEGO tower, but you don't have enough bricks. The bricks are *inadequate* for the job; you can't make the tower you want!
👶 For kids: Not enough or not good enough.
More Examples
Her skills were inadequate for the complex task.
The security measures were found to be inadequate after the breach.
How It's Used
"The funding for the project was inadequate."
"His preparation for the test was inadequate."
"The patient's nutrition was deemed inadequate."
From Late Latin *inaequatus*, past participle of *inaequare* 'to make unequal', from *in-* 'not' + *aequare* 'to make equal'.
Historically, the word has been used to describe a lack of both quantity and quality, often in moral or legal contexts. Its usage remains consistent.
Memory tip
Think of a door (adequate) that is too small for you to go through (inadequate).